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ITV Report

17 April 2012 at 7:23am

Search for car after murder

Agim Hoxha Photo: Hampshire police

Police investigating a murder near Southampton are now in a position to name the victim.

Officers launched a murder investigation after the body of 29-year-old Agim Hoxha from Cranbury Place, Southampton, was found in a burnt out Mercedes in Chilworth Drove, between 1am and 1.30am on Tuesday, April 10.

Officers believe he was dead before the fire took hold. The Mercedes his body was found in belonged to Agim and police are still trying to trace its movement in the days before his murder.

Anyone who thinks they saw the silver two door Mercedes C200 CDI car, registration “BW53FZH” over the Easter period is asked to contact police.

Detectives are also trying to trace a second car which it’s believed belonged to the victim.

Det Ch Insp Rachel Farrell, leading the investigation, said: “Agim had a second car and we are trying to trace this as we believe it may be important to our investigation.

“It is a grey Ford Mondeo Zetec Tdci with the registration "HY58HYL". I believe this has probably been parked in a street in Southampton somewhere and I am asking people to look out for it and to call my team if they see it or know where it is as it may help us solve this horrendous crime.

“I am also keen to hear from anyone who saw Agim in the Easter period before his death.”

Anyone with information about either car or has any other information about this crime is asked to contact the Operation Wedgewood Investigation Team in Southampton on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police also gave this statement, issued on behalf of Mr Hoxha's close family: “Agim was a loving family member who was friendly and also made friends easily.

“He had lived in the UK for around12 years and had spent around 8 years in living in Southampton and the rest in London.

“Agim was a crane driver and worked on lots of building sites in the area. He was a good and hard worker.

“Outside of work he liked to socialise, got to the gym and regularly played football in a Sunday league club.

“He did not deserve anything like this to happen to him and we cannot understand why someone would do this.

“We would urge anyone who knows anything about what happened to Agim to call the police as soon as possible so they can find who did this quickly and bring him to justice.

“Losing him has left a big hole in our family and he will be sorely missed”